Did US Open 2021 Witness a Change of Guard After Daniil Medvedev Defeated Novak Djokovic in the Finals?

World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev did something that no man has been able to do this season. The big Russian knocked off Novak Djokovic in the final of the US Open 2021. In doing so, he stopped the Serb from winning all four Majors in a calendar season. 

With this win, there have been two players that are born in the 1990s that have managed to win a Major. Last year, it was Dominic Thiem and this season it’s Daniil Medvedev. It seems it’s just a matter of time before players besides the big three will start winning Majors on a regular basis. 

Daniil Medvedev and Co. are ready to take the mantle?

However, with Medvedev winning yesterday, does this mean that it is a change of guard? We all thought about it last season when Thiem won the US Open. Nonetheless, this season for the Austrian was a disaster. Being out of form along with injuries, took a toll on his season this year. 

Therefore, it is early to say if these guys are ready to win the Slams on a regular basis. It all depends on how the players besides the big three perform in the Majors next season. The biggest challenge will be to see how these players perform in events like Roland Garros and the Wimbledon Championships. 

If Federer and Nadal return to full fitness, they certainly can make matters difficult for the others. The experience and tactics that these two possess are some of the key reasons why they have been able to dominate the sport for two decades. Even Djokovic will come back hungry to continue leaving his mark on the biggest of stages. 

As the Grand Slam events are over for 2021, all eyes will be on the players next season when they set foot in Melbourne, ready to compete in the first event of the season, the Australian Open 2022. 

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